Stacey Solomon said she “felt like we won” after leaving the National Television Awards without a trophy, posting an Instagram video on Thursday that captured the presenter and her family enjoying the evening despite three nominations ending in defeat.
Solomon, 35, arrived at the O2 Arena shortlisted in three categories — two for programmes she fronts, Sort Your Life Out and Stacey & Joe, which were competing in the same Entertainment category, and one for Best Presenter — but none took home a gong. She attended the ceremony with her husband, Joe Swash, and their five children, Zachary, 17, Leighton, 13, Rex, 6, Rose, 3, and Belle, 2.
In the Instagram caption Solomon thanked fans for voting and praised the company she kept on the night, writing in part: “it’s never about the destination. It all about who you spend the journey with. we didn’t win any awards last night but it feels like we won.” The clip shows Solomon dancing backstage with Swash during McFly’s opening performance, playing with her daughters and sharing laughs with members of the Sort Your Life Out and Stacey & Joe teams.
Clarkson’s Farm won the factual entertainment prize that pipped both of Solomon’s shows, and Gary Lineker won Best Presenter, ending Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s 23-year winning streak in that category. Lineker used his acceptance speech to note the circumstances of his recent departure from Match of the Day, saying, “it’s not lost on me why I might have won this award,” and adding, “I think it demonstrates that perhaps it's OK sometimes to use our platform to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice.” Lineker stepped down from the BBC programme in May after posting a pro-Palestine Instagram message that included an emoji some regarded as having anti-Semitic connotations; he apologised and left the show.
Solomon’s social-media post followed an earlier season in which she expressed disappointment after Sort Your Life Out did not receive a BAFTA; she had also told Magic Radio hours before the NTAs that it was “absolutely ludicrous” both of her shows were placed in the same category. On the radio show she said she was nevertheless grateful to be shortlisted and that it was “so nice to be shortlisted and nominated, knowing that it’s a public vote.”
The 30th annual NTAs were hosted by Joel Dommett and broadcast on ITV1. Winners are chosen by a public vote; other notable winners on the night included This Morning for Best Daytime, Strictly Come Dancing for Best Talent Show, Gavin & Stacey for Best Comedy and EastEnders for Best Serial Drama. Michael McIntyre’s The Big Show received The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, and Owen Cooper won Drama Performance for his role in Adolescence.
The ceremony also saw emotional moments and recognitions across genres. Steve McFadden accepted Serial Drama Performance for his portrayal of Phil Mitchell’s mental health storyline and was visibly moved. Organisers highlighted the NTAs’ public-vote tradition dating to the awards’ 1995 inception, describing the event as a celebration of the nation’s most popular television stars and programmes.
Solomon’s Instagram post concluded with thanks to viewers and colleagues. She tagged the production teams behind her shows and wrote, “To the moon and back families @sortyourlifeout @staceyandjoe.tv @optomen @bbciplayer. Thank you to all of you who got us there & voted we are forever grateful.”